RESCUE IN 54mm ESCAPE? #5

 

PREVIOUSLY

"Ah, excuse me for a moment. There is tumult in the camp. Wait here," ordered Ragnar Khan II.

"Mates, do you hear shouts and bedlam in the enemy camp?," asked Davey.

"Aye, an scurrying around too as best I can see which ain't that good," said Tommy.

There's why, my lads. Look up!," ordered Davey.

"What the....," gasped Tommy.

"That rare apparition, my boys, according to my Granny Caroline, is a Blood Red Moon. It portends important actions by The Almighty," said Davey. "We should have a care!"

"Davey - Charley! Look down at the bridge. There's commotion there and female voices a shoutn'," said Tommy.

"It's the wimmin. We've got to help 'em!," shouted Davey.

"An' desert our post? That's a firing squad offense! What if it's a cruel trick?," asked Tommy.

"Well, lads, I'm goin'," said Davey. "Come along or stay."

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AND NOW

"Charley, you stay here on post. Tommy, if you're game, let's go," said Davey.

"C'mon then," said Tommy. "Into the valley of....!"

"Look at 'em runnin' about in confusion," exclaimed Davey.

"Away from us is all I want," said Tommy. "Do you see the wimmin?"

"Aye, by that bonfire huddled together with the enemy racing to the rear," said Davey. "No more talk. Let's go!"

"Alice! This is our chance to escape," said Elizabeth.

"Agreed," said Alice. "Seconds will make all the difference. Run for the bridge!" 

"Half way now with two Royal Marines just on the other side of the creek." said Alice. "We're going to make it!," she exclaimed.

"Damn," blurted Elizabeth. "Warriors are running to catch us from the right. Don't stop. Our lives depend on it!"

"And more coming from behind," she added. "Run!"

"LADIES! Here we are. Race across the bridge to us," shouted Davey. "RUN!"

"Ready arms," said Tommy.

"Stand back Missies," commanded Davey, "If you please."

"Rapid Fire!, Aim, Fire!" shouted Tommy.

"Oh Alice, this is the end!," said Elizabeth.

"No. This is not yet the end. Turn around and see my dear!," exclaimed Alice.

"Stand fast ladies," commanded Lieutenant Bryce. "We're coming through."

"Hurrah screamed Elizabeth.

Then, "Huzza," yelled Alice as ladylike as a Princess might.

"Rapid Fire." ordered Bryce followed by "Fire!"

"Don't let up, Marines," ordered Bryce.

"They are falling back ladies," said Davey. Our mates showed 'em off, you see."

"With a little scary help from a reptilian too," added Tommy.

"Your safe now my ladies," said Davey. "Let's go back to our lines and then some."

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RESCUE IN 54mm After The 1st Battle #4

 

ELSEWHERE ON MANZIBAR ISLAND

"Aroknok kantu." {Follow me.}

"Ji. Eah tanu lama?" {Yes. What is it?}

"Bokaboka." {Food} 

Ragnar Khan's reinforcements march through the wilderness of Manzibar Island. 

The column stretched out into the bush passing by....

Strange and cruel monuments and structures such as....

This sacrificial altar apparently in recent use. One Officer asked himself....

"Are these representations of a people or creatures living here or just a frightening boundary marker?"

"Captain, I saw large birds running in the bushes and trees. They would make a fine meal."

"What are they, soldier?"

"I don't know but they were robust enough able to feed several men each."

"They must have run off. Back to the column."

Onward to their rendezvous with Ragnar Khan.

INTR' ACTE

After the struggle into the mid-afternoon, both sides reorganized. Ragnar Khan's forces disengaged falling back behind the creek near Undunga's Ruins. The Imperials initially followed intending to launch a final push but decided to fall back and reorganize for the morrow. This is the story between the two days of battle.

"Here we are again my fine friends in the most forward position guarding the entire army," remarked Royal Marine Davey Musgrave.

"That's because the Sergeant trusts us most for this duty," fired back Lance Corporal Charley Parker.

"Oh sure," said Tommy Barrett. "Well, our lads to the rear will save us if trouble comes."

"They look the part in their extended line," offered Charley.

"Yeah, but bluejackets in reserve? Good lads sure. I guess the Brigadier knows what he's doing," said Davey crossly.

"Don't you think you should be looking at the enemy ahead and now shut up Davey?, demanded Tommy.

"You shut up! What about the Americans far off to our right?" continued Davey.

"From what I was told they fought very well, losing many men, said Tommy. The blue companies lost half their men."

"The stronger khaki outfit suffered less but carried off Khan's forces," added Charley.

"Aye. I'm glad they  have some horsemen," said Davey.

TWO HOURS LATER

"Darkness will be here soon. Are the men settled and picquets out?," asked Brigadier Grandmaison.

"Aye, Sir, they are," said Captain Warren. "All is well in both our camps."

 "Night comes fast in these parts," commented Petty Officer Lawson "and the enemy is bedded down." 

"What's goin' on in Khan's camp?" wondered Tommy.

"Yeah, and what about them wimin'?," asked Charley.

"I think they're by that bon fire," said Davey. "Maybe with the Khan. I wish I could hear what they're sayin'," continued Davey.

"The battle ended, Ragnar Khan with our rescuers a mere mile away. Surely they will come in the morning. So we invite you to release Miss Roosevelt and I into their custody, at this time," stated Princess Alice.

"Yes, Mr. Khan, surely you see the advantage lies with the American and British forces," remarked Miss Roosevelt. "I don't mean to speak intemperately. Ask for a parlay down at the creek and make arrangements, if you please and end all this."

"My, how polite and confident you are tonight," said Ragnar Khan. "My answer is no. However, I offer you one sporting opportunity. Simply walk down to the creek alone, cross at one of the bridges and call out to the enemy picquets. Maybe they will believe you. Maybe they won't."

 "That's walking a gauntlet, if my history reminds me and is a dangerous affair," said Alice.

"So? Danger lives with us all. Here's your one chance. Take it," offered Khan. "It will be interesting to see what my warriors.... Ah, excuse me for a moment. There is tumult in the camp. Wait here."

"Mates, do you hear shouts and bedlam in the enemy camp?," asked Davey.

"Aye, an scurrying around too as best I can see which ain't that good," said Tommy.

There's why, my lads. Look up!," ordered Davey. 

"What the....," gasped Tommy. 

"That rare apparition, my boys, according to my Granny Caroline, is a Blood Red Moon. It portends important actions by The Almighty," said Davey. "We should have a care!"

"Davey - Charley! Look down at the bridge. There's commotion there and female voices a shoutn'," said Tommy.

"It's the wimin. We've got to help 'em!," shouted Davey.

"An desert our post? That's a firing squad offense! What if its a cruel trick?," asked Tommy.

"Well, lads, I'm goin'," said Davey. "Come along or stay."

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RESCUE IN 54mm Imperial Attack #3

 

"My Ladies, your rescuers plan to attend you this day. Splendid as they come on, aren't they? Would you...."

Princess Alice stopped him from saying more remarking, "You are cool in the face of impending destruction, Ragnar Khan. I see none of your warriors opposing our rescuers."

"I was about to offer a safer location for you and Miss Roosevelt. But now.... Why don't we remain here observing as bullets begin flying, perhaps in our direction? Let's watch, shall we?"

IMPERIAL LEFT FLANK

"Observe their few numbers compared to my warriors suddenly appearing from cover."

That is only the Royal Marine spear point, Sir," said the Princess. "More...."

"Royal Marines and Highlanders follow from directly behind," added Alice.

"Plus a line of Bluejackets in reserve, I assume."

"Destruction looms for your Imperials, Princess Alice. See how my warriors storm into hand to hand combat. We will excel with our long sharp blades and nerve."

"Ha, your brave rescuers retreat," smirked the Khan.

"Yes, Ragnar Khan," continued Alice, "only to establish a new line."

"Some even form in a shallow pond to oppose your warriors. I foresee your end Ragnar Khan. Your impertinent people now fail to continue their forward aggression. Wavering."

IMPERIAL EXTREME RIGHT FLANK

On A Side Table

Unbeknownst to Ragnar Khan II and the Ladies

The American Commander became aware of a defile to attack Ragnar Khan's forces in the flank and took advantage of it. A troop of cavalry and one company of infantry left the beach area off the bottom of this image hurriedly turning left covered by a high ridge.  

While a unit of Khan's spearmen losing their way entered the other end of the defile seeking friends to join.

Each foe suddenly found each other. Spears were thrown and shots were fired.

The Reaction Table caused the natives to abandon the field as their foes pursued.

The cavalry came on fast in pursuit. They are at the edge of the Side Table. The Main Table lies three feet away but the latter distance is only a gap in which players walk and sit. In reality the Side and Main Tables are adjacent without a gap.

We now return to the Main Table....

IMPERIAL RIGHT FLANK

"Mr. Khan, I demand that you immediately cease this senseless slaughter. By what right do you shed blood, and much less contain the Princess and myself?" My country, my family will...."

"I have every right in the world as a sovereign, my dear Miss Alexandra Elizabeth Roosevelt."

"You've had your say, my lady. Nothing can stop me. Now let us observe how your Americans fight."

"I see them Mr. Khan - briskly advancing, blue uniforms on their left and khaki on their right," said Roosevelt.

Unfortunately there are no photos but warriors erupted out of the vegetation fighting several rounds of melee versus the blues. The latter prevailed with a severe loss of men.

"I see my Khaki clad soldiers leveling rifles at your warriors."

"And look there! Our cavalry rides into your flank," shouted Roosevelt.

"It will do them no good! Notice my clever warriors springing an ambush hurling spears into them and fighting with swords too?", said Khan.

"But no, your spearmen are beginning to run!," shouted Roosevelt. (Not pictured)

THE END PHASE

Indeed they did run and very few warriors remained to fight the Americans. Over on the other flank Khan's warriors realized they could not break the foe there.

By 2:00pm it was apparent we had reached a denouement for Ragnar Khan. Both sides had fought well and suffered many casualties. For this see Closing Remarks below.

So as the Game Judge I asked the other four players if they thought it was worth continuing the fight. None agreed this was a good idea. Therefore, we used a pause in the battle to redeploy. The warriors withdrew behind the shallow stream passing in front of the Undunga Ruins followed by the Imperials reorganizing into a routine line of battle. We assume several hours transpired for this redeployment. Below is what things looked like as the sun began to set.

Ragnar Khan's Left Flank.

His Center.

I commanded the lancers marching them uselessly when I remembered them!

 

Khan's Right Flank.

DOES KAHN HAVE ANYTHING "UP HIS SLEEVE?"

OFCOURSE!

"Excellency? What is your will?"

"We will bring forward our hidden allied reinforcements. They arrive tonight by the Full Moon," said Ragnar Khan.

"And Excellency, if they fail to arrive?"

"Then we shall invite the ladies to join us in the submersible boat and pass through the cave tunnel below the reef. Afterwards we will resume vexing the great powers," whispered Khan.

CLOSING REMARKS

1. The Gang of Five seated left to right: Jim P. (Der Alte Fritz) and Kurt D. Standing left to right: Rob O. Chuck The Lucky and Yours Truly Bill P. (Chronicler for The Adventures of General Pettygree)

2. Miniatures: We use what we have.

4. 54-60mm Manufacturers: Armies in Plastic, Britain's, John Jenkins Designs, King and Country and one more which I can't remember from the UK whose owner passed away. Treefrog Miniatures sells all of these except Armies in Plastic. Both companies give superior service.

4. Imperial Left Flank: Chuck The Lucky: 

1 Mounted Officer who survived

33 Highlanders of which 4 were lost.

34 Royal Marines of which 11 were lost.

Gardner Mechanical Gun and 6 crew of which 0 were lost.

26 Bluejacket Shore Party of which 0 were lost. (Unengaged)

100 Miniatures of which 15 were lost. (15%)

Opposed By Jim P. Der Alte Fritz

91 Warriors of which 37 were lost. (41%)

5. Imperial Right Flank: Rob O.

49 Khaki Infantry of which 10 were lost.

25 Blue Infantry of which 14 were lost.

14 Cavalry of which 7 were lost.

88 Miniatures of which 31 were lost. (35%)

Opposed By Kurt D.

92 warriors of which 50 were lost. (54%)

6. Grand Totals

Imperials: 188 Miniatures of which 46 were lost. (25%)

Warriors: 183* of which 81 were lost. (44%)

*12 Lancers not included guarding Ragnar Khan. (Unengaged)

7. We hope to resume the tabletop game next month. Return here for news and....

8. Write your comments below, if you please.

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